Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Episode 39.
The place Ryan took them to was Brody’s three-story mansion.
As befitting a successful businesswoman, her mansion was located in a well-secured district within the middle levels, and it was as spacious and comfortable as expected.
It was a perfectly suitable space for everyone, exhausted as they were, to rest.
“Let’s talk about complicated matters later. Everyone, please get a good rest today.”
Despite likely having many questions, Brody asked none.
She merely called for a healer, then slapped Eddie across the ear before retiring to her room.
“Um, I have nowhere to go right now. I’m also scared the gang members might retaliate…”
The fact that she generously took in Roanna, who had suddenly transformed into a meek lamb, was an added bonus.
In any case, everyone was assigned a room.
Gunter’s room was on the top floor, right next to Brody’s, and was far more luxurious than the rooms assigned to the other companions.
Ryan nudged him in the side.
“What’s your secret to monopolizing the affection of women… especially rich women?”
Gunter lightly ignored him and stepped into the room.
A clean and tidy interior.
There were no unnecessary decorations, but the interior design and materials were all high-class.
It seemed to subtly reflect Brody’s practical taste.
Thump-
After a quick wash, he immediately threw himself onto the bed.
The sleepiness that had clung to him since the carriage had not yet subsided.
But-
Ting-!
It was too important a message to ignore just because he was sleepy, and Gunter’s eyes snapped open.
It was also the message he had been eagerly awaiting.
[Rutian Theocracy’s Influence in Border City: 9969]
Finally!
A great sense of accomplishment washed over Gunter, making even the day’s fatigue feel momentarily sweet.
The stagnant number had dropped sharply below 10,000.
This meant the main scenario was finally moving again.
[Act 1, Chapter 3, ‘Into the Shadows’ begins]
He would likely be invited to Night Crow’s induction ceremony within days.
His life of fully immersing himself in the Secret Society and opposing Rutian was about to begin.
Gunter clenched his fist.
‘The true ending… one step closer to returning to Earth.’
Of course, a future that was just as dangerous and arduous awaited him, but that was fine.
He was ready.
Ting-!
[Summoning a summary of ‘Gunter Sirhe’s’ latest status]
Basic Stats
Level: 50 (1st Tier Limit Level)
Strength: 41 Stamina: 33 Agility: 39 Magic Power: 10 Charm: 67 Luck: 30
Poison Resistance: 5
Divine Resistance: 25
Trait List
??? (Unranked)
God Slayer (Mythic)
Skill List
Knight’s Swordsmanship: Lv.3 / Proficiency 33.3
Heart Calming Technique: Lv.1 / Proficiency 13.9
Overlord’s Eye: Lv.1 / Proficiency 77.2
Bad Dexterity: Lv.1 / Proficiency 22.5
Zero Point Strike: Lv.1 / Proficiency 3.3
Overdose: Lv.1 / Proficiency 38.3
Serpent’s Nest: Lv.1 / Proficiency 66.8
Owned Item List (Magic Grade or Higher)
Frost Ghost Robe (Rare)
Rhadenbach’s Steadfastness (Magic)
Decision of Instantaneous Speed (Ancient)
Stigma List
He Who Raises His Head (Stage 1)
Healer and Killer (Stage 1)
The Tempting One (Stage 1)
※ The growth of Stigmas is determined by the Divine Rank of the god who bestowed the Stigma.
Gunter looked at the status windows with a proud expression.
Various items, skills, traits…
Everything had grown rapidly, incomparably more so than a month ago.
[Ninety-Nine Overlord Knight King expresses his respect for your hard work and growth]
[Red Street Pillar makes a gesture of patting your behind, remarking on how much you’ve grown]
[Addict Saintess also tentatively reaches out a hand]
‘…You’ve come this far, haven’t you.’
Act 1, Chapter 1.
When the protagonist’s no-show caused the plan meticulously crafted over three years to crumble in an instant, Gunter had experienced a despair so profound it was devastating.
But now, he was excellently filling that void.
Of course, there were still many areas where he was lacking, but no one could deny that he had done his best.
He just needed to continue like this.
To build it up step by step.
Just like the protagonist, ‘Dominic Wolf,’ whom he had played hundreds of times through the monitor.
“…Hoo.”
The conviction that he was doing well.
The heavy tension finally eased with a sense of relief that had come after a very long time.
[Ninety-Nine Overlord Knight King pats you on the shoulder]
His body, barely enduring the side effects of the drugs and the fierce battles, simultaneously declared a strike.
Thump-
Gunter buried his face in the pillow.
[Addict Saintess smiles benevolently and sings a lullaby]
[Red Street Pillar screams and covers his ears]
Gunter chuckled softly at the Three Gods’ unchanging playful nature.
And then, nothing else came to mind.
The profoundly exhausting day thus came to an end.
.
.
.
Four hours ago-
The mother’s feeding hall.
Gunter, having missed the Scarred Man due to the Knight King’s interference, let out a short sigh and stared into space.
‘…So, why exactly did you stop me?’
He had let an evil person slip away right before his eyes.
The Knight King, sensing Gunter’s anger, replied immediately.
[He states that he discovered a familiar trace in the dagger technique of that individual]
‘A familiar trace…?’
Something clicked in Gunter’s mind.
The dagger technique was far too advanced to be wielded by a mere gang executive.
Could it be-
‘Is it a technique of one of your companions? From the old Divine Ranks?’
[The Three Gods nod in unison]
‘…….’
Gunter recalled the memo he had left in the library a few days prior.
-Under Rutian’s tyranny, most of the old gods perished, but some did not.
-It has been observed that a very small number exist in forms such as relics or nameless Guardian Spirits.
It couldn’t be that these three were the only gods from the forgotten era.
Then, had the Scarred Man also made contact and formed a contract with a fallen old god?
‘But….’
Gunter’s eyebrows furrowed sharply.
‘Why with such a thug?’
It was not something that was easily understood.
The Three Gods were clearly benevolent gods.
If they were their companions, they too would be benevolent gods.
How could they form a contract with an executive belonging to a gang that offered sacrifices to Evil Gods?
There was another strange point.
Gunter had not seen any messages related to Divine Ranks when fighting the Scarred Man.
Normally, when encountering a Contractor, one would see the epithet of the god they contracted with and their actions.
But the Three Gods did not budge from their opinion.
[Ninety-Nine Overlord Knight King states that the Scarred Man was using the unique technique of their companion]
[Addict Saintess adds that even if he is not a Contractor, he might be involved in other ways, or perhaps he inherited the progress of a previous Contractor]
[Red Street Pillar insists that investigating the Scarred Man’s whereabouts is worthwhile]
After deliberation, Gunter sighed and nodded.
‘If it’s confirmed that he’s involved with your companion, then of course, an investigation is necessary.’
Finding the old gods was also a matter of great importance to Gunter.
He would be in a position to regain the power of benevolent gods friendly to humans,
and share in their fruits.
Each one found brought a significant stat boost.
However, currently, the only clue regarding the old gods was the investigation of the ‘Society of Oblivion’ entrusted to Brody.
With the Scarred Man appearing as a new lead, there was ample reason to pursue it.
‘…Alright, let’s talk about it after we get out of here.’
* * *
Back to the present.
“Mmm…”
Gunter opened his eyes, feeling refreshed.
He had slept so deeply that he couldn’t even gauge how much time had passed.
The mansion was enveloped in a quiet stillness.
It seemed everyone, both host and guests, were asleep.
“……?”
Ah, it seemed there was one exception.
From beyond the window, a powerful battle cry could be heard from the backyard.
It was Ryan’s voice.
…Was he training?
Ever since he learned of Night Crow’s existence, he hadn’t skipped a single day of training.
“Ugh…”
Normally, he would have immediately sprung up, joined Ryan, and mechanically completed the tasks at hand.
“Ughhhh.”
Gunter lingered in bed for the first time in a very long time.
“My body aches.”
The aftereffects of Overdose were not to be taken lightly.
But despite his heavy body, his mind felt strangely at ease.
He was in pain and couldn’t do anything.
It was, in a sense, sick leave.
Like an elementary school student who woke up late and realized it was a holiday.
For a while, Gunter let time flow by, burying himself in the luxurious bedding and the warm sunlight, quietly catching his breath.
“Ugh…”
After a few more hours passed like that.
Gunter, half-asleep, made his way to the dining hall.
When a servant spotted Gunter, they bowed respectfully.
“Shall I prepare a meal for you?”
“…Yes, please.”
Before long, a simple brunch was laid out.
Freshly baked eggs, well-cooked bacon, crispy butter toast, and a warm bowl of soup with a faint herbal aroma.
“Ah…”
This is luxurious.
How long had it been since he ate a meal prepared by someone else in a home?
Gunter slowly emptied his plate, his gaze drifting out the large window.
‘The view is nice too.’
The mansion’s garden was immersed in the quiet beauty of late autumn.
Soft golden sunlight filtered through the branches, most of their leaves already shed, warming the ground.
Fallen leaves covered the garden like a fine carpet.
The remaining ivy here and there was tinged with a faint red, as if burning.
The dark, gloomy underground bunker.
The horrific mother spider, and the gangs who offered sacrifices.
The evil that killed and was killed.
It was hard to believe it belonged to the hellish world he had entered and exited yesterday.
“…Does it suit your taste?”
A cheerful voice from behind pulled Gunter out of his thoughts.
“I usually cook and serve meals for guests myself… but I overslept today.”
“Brody.”
Brody was, as always, impeccably neat.
Not a single strand was out of place in her smoothly tied crimson hair.
She was even wearing a jacket.
The only trace of her long sleep was a faint pillow crease on her left cheek.
Her sharp, composed demeanor suddenly made Gunter want to play a familiar prank.
“Sleep in your left eye.”
“…Is that possible?”
Unfortunately, the reaction was different from the original target, but still.
Gunter, recalling his younger sibling who used to swing a shoe bag around, wore a faint smile.
“By the way, you’re waking up later than I expected.”
“I only slept around dawn.”
“…Why?”
Thump-
The same brunch menu was placed before Brody.
“I had some work left to do, and I was talking with Roanna about various things.”
She had a knack for naturally dropping topics that piqued curiosity.
“…Why Roanna?”
“She’s someone I’ll have to look after for a few days, so I need to know what kind of person she is.”
“She didn’t seem like someone easily understood.”
“Well, there are things you can see when it comes to people from the lower levels.”
“Hmm?”
From the lower levels.
It was a background that couldn’t be felt at all from a wealthy businesswoman like Brody.
When Gunter asked in surprise, Brody’s eyes widened.
“Oh my, why? Do you suddenly want to discriminate?”
“…No. My own background isn’t that great either.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Why?”
Brody pointed at Gunter’s face and smiled lightly.
“You’re nobly handsome. And your conduct is upright. I assumed you were a fallen noble with a story.”
Wrong.
He was from a shantytown in the Republic of Korea.
Gunter let out a chuckle, and Brody laughed along.
“I was in the lower levels until I was 11. If my aunt hadn’t taken me in, I might have ended up as a drug addict, a thief, or a gang member.”
“Your aunt… Eddie’s mother?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, I thought you were a young lady born and raised in a wealthy household.”
“Hoho, I worked hard to appear that way.”
Brody put down the fork in her hand and smiled like a lady.
The tray was already empty.
“…Though I still haven’t managed to break this damn habit of eating so fast.”
Then, her expression changed dramatically, and she continued speaking.
“Shall we get down to business?”
Gunter nodded.
“Sounds good.”